Question about living space for ducks

[Bojilov]

Hello,and first of all sorry for my not good English language.I have very large yard-exellent for daily duck living.But because of cold winter weather and predators-it is needed the flock to live at their duck house for the nights.The problem is that space in the duck house is not quite big.Approximately 35 square feet(3,3 square meters).My simple question is-Can live relatively comfortable 14 ducks in it for the nights?Till now succesfuly lived for nights for many years in it no more than 11 or 12 ducks. Now I want to buy some ducks to add to my flock(now I have 10 birds),but the problem is that the seller does not want to sell single or two birds, but wants to sell all 4 ducks that he have.The birds are very beatiful,so spending the money for them is not a problem,but space is a problem.All of my birds have relatively docile and quiet temperament,there are not quite agressive birds,they are 2 males and 8 females.The ducks are not quite small or quite large breeds.The biggest of them are two cayga drakes,which are relatively calm.

 

[ruthhope]

It is recommended that ducks have 4sq feet at night. Your 35 sq ft is less than that but as you have noted, it works for your flock. I would not add more ducks. It will be too cramped and may lead to aggression

 

[Jenbirdee]

My ducks have a 48 square-foot house which is perfect for 12 ducks to have 4 ft.² each however, presently I have 15 ducks so I made a second story for them by adding small tables that they can jump up on . Many of them sleep under the tables that’s actually their favorite spots. Only my brown ducks, khaki Campbell’s and golden 300s like jumping up on the tables.

 

[Jenbirdee]

 

[Jenbirdee]

Oh and I should tell you that those windows that are low behind the ducks are covered for the winter. I only leave the higher up windows open in the winter and I have more ventilation on the other side. That’s also higher up.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Its my opinion that ducks really don't need the same space that chickens do. I've had ducks for eight years and observed that they almost always sleep in huddles, shoved up against each other like the world depends on it lol. That's not to say every duck flock is that way and you would know yours better than I, but if you feel they do alright with 12, 2 more should not be too drastic of a change so long as the 4 new ones are well integrated. Do what you feel is best.

 

[ruthhope]

My ducks have a 48 square-foot house which is perfect for 12 ducks to have 4 ft.² each however, presently I have 15 ducks so I made a second story for them by adding small tables that they can jump up on . Many of them sleep under the tables that’s actually their favorite spots. Only my brown ducks, khaki Campbell’s and golden 300s like jumping up on the tables.

I have 2 dog crates in my very spacious duck house (50 sq ft for only 4 ducks currently). Two of my muscovy prefer sleeping on top of the dog crates!